Tubular structure and article



P. R. GOLDMAN TUBULAR STRUCTURE AND ARTIGL Filed Aug. 7. 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet l '11111111111111'flair/11111111111 i /5 JE'K'M Nov. 16, 1943. P, R, GOLDMAN 2,334,619

TUBULAR STRUCTURE AND ARTICLES Filed Aug. 7, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Nov. 16, 1943 2,3:,4,c19` TUBULAR sTancrUnE ANDVARTIACLE Paul Goldman, Andover, Masfs. j Application 1942, SerialAN-o. 153,931.1

Ys claims. A(c1. 9 11) My present invention relates to the mauiacture of light-weight ldevices and structures including both filled and hollow types susceptible of a wide range of use and particularly adapted to serve as loating'supports, pontoons, floats and the like,Y The invention aims to provide such` devices and structures which may be constructed rapidly and in large quantities fromavailable materials, chiefly wood, veneer and plywood, and applicable forexample ,asi the supporting means for life nets,rafts, preservers and for various other purposes. f l.

In the drawings, illustratingby way of example certain embodiments of the invention:

Fig. 1 isa longitudinal section of one formof. tubular supporting device, shown as non-lled, an intermediate portion being brokenaway to indicate its indeterminate length;

Fig. 2 is an elevation upon a smaller scale .illustrating one manner of use of devices such ask here concerned;

Fig, 3 is a View similarto Fig. 1 modified construction; y y f Fig. 4 represents one meansiofrangularly connecting structural lengths or sections such as that of Fig. l or the others; 1

Fig. 5 is a vcross-section of asmall portionaof a wall of the device, partly diagrammatic and upon a much larger scale, to

ply construction; Y i i l Figs. 6 and 7 are longitudinal' sections corresponding to Fig. l' showing filled typesof 'devices of the invention, of plural and single compari;` mental construction respectively;

Fig. 8 is aV view partly in elevation and partly' in section of a structure whereinY the various showing a illustrate the wound cross-sectional` shape, lgenerally circulars-,but whichV maybe otherwise, as `elliptical or 'other curved form, .or polygonal shapes Uor combinations thereof. vCentrally within the outerI sleeve 1 yis an inner sleeve or hollow tubular member-.8 of

corresponding or othercrosssectional shape but of much smaller diameter, so'as to afford a relatively vlarge annular space between themtwo sleeves, the latter defining Ythe inner and outer circumferential walls of 'the respective compartments orssections..k In this embodiment of-Figs,` 1 and 2 v.the seyeral compartrrle'n tsk 5 are further interconnectedand supported in coaxial alignmentas bymeans of a central spindle-likehollow tube or core 9, preferably continuous throughout the length oi the structure as a wholeand coextensive in length with the outer tube or casing. 6.

TheseV Severaltubularelements 6,#1, 8 and `9 are formed ofr thinwcod strip material, Wondve-A neer or plywood, wound into their` tubularllform. Each fsuchfelement comprises .any desired number of thicknesses or`A plies of the. wood strip,` plywoodor veneering, .being separately formed, in anyY desired lengths, and, assembledinto 'the unitary Vst'ructu'refsuch as illustrated.-`v` Tlius eachV ofl them is a Vspir'ally, or otherwise wound thin wood veneer orfplywoodtubular device .suchA for ex-` sections corresponding for example to those-of Fig. 3, are angularly related; f f Fig. .9 represents a method of constructingsuch. sections or tubular elements for angular asso-A ciation; and f Fig. 10 shows one such tubular element separately, in section. s

Referring to the drawings in more detaiLiand iirst to Figs. 1 and 2, the'structure' there shown, composed 'wholly-or mainly of wood, comprises one or more chambers, compartmentsor sections each indicated generally Aby the numeral 5. Any desired number of such ccmpartmental elements are connected into a unitary structure of any required length as by'means of anexternal shell or casing 6. f

In the exampleof Figs. l and 2 each of the'sections 5, shown empty, comprises an outer sleeve oriwall 1 of the selected diameter, thickness and ample as Vdisclosed in4 my ,copendi'r'g application,

Serial No. 448,819; tgetheffwith'lmthds,fof making the same. yThus it will. ilzleA understood that each er' the' tubularmembers s to ameni-VK sive is made up of one KVor yir'iorewirids or thick-' nesses of the veneer, which may befof paper thinness, these several `windings.notfbeing indicated in Fig. 1 dueto the drafting and scale limitations.VV y A short length ofthe outer Wallof oneof the Sec-Q tions 570i Fig."r l islrepresentc'd'in Vcross-section uponja much enlarged scale 5'." ATherethe several 'windingsjor individual wood strip v'or'jveneer layers arev indicated by the addition ofthe reference letter'vral tojthe. numerals "of 'thefrespective tubular` Aelements 6 and 1.; Asimil'arly enlarged section of the walls of the smaller tubuY tures of great strength and durability, all as 'disclosed forv example in the copending application referred to, including such supplemental treatment as may be desired for rendering the elements waterand moisture-proof, lire-resistant, impermeable to air and to afford it such other characteristics as may be desired in any given use instance.

It should further be understood that the several sleeves or tubular elements 6 to 9 inclusive are initially made up in any desired lengths, the relatively shorter members 1 and 8 for the sections or compartments being then cutto the appropriate lengths or they may be wound originally of such relatively shorter lengths. Thus the invention is not limited with respect to4 the length or axial extent of the section-forming elements, and

it likewise is not limited as to the diameter,V-which,- may be varied from a minimum of approximately 1A, in. or less for the center tube V9 up to a number of feet for any of the tubular members.

Like-f wise there are wide ranges available for the wallplurality of aligned sections, all of which are circumferentially secured and further structurally unitedrby the outer shell or tubular casing 6. It will be particularly noted that the core tube 9 and the outer casing 6 are of a length to extend out at their opposite ends across the outer end walls l0, terminating flush with the outer faces of the latter. The surface areas between these extended end portions of the casing 6 and core 9, respectively, and the adjacent edge portions of the Vend walls I0 are bonded'or united, as by gluing,.cementirg and the like as previously mentioned, with or without heat and pressure detubular sections '5 further comprise the trans- Y eter of ythe inner sleevesV 8., Thus they are adapted to be disposed in,` overlapping relation to the endl edges of said sleeves 1land8. f

assembling the float or other device as "a Y Whole,1 a, pair Vof the sleeve sections 1 and 8 isset in concentric relation 'with theirV edges at. one. end respectively abutting'rthe outer and the inner peripheralportionsof an end member IIL'. The

sleeves and end wallare bonded together at their abutting edge portions by suitable Waterproof or other glue, cement'or other bondingv agent, depending on the purpose and circumstances of use for the finished, device, such for yexarxiple asempioyecl 'in the formation4 of the. tubular elements. themselves, including such agents as urea formaldenyde glue,'Ba1. c1it e,glue,v compositions of the. Tego type and other known substances affording a, strong sealing union between the parts. as indicated at lua, l0a,`etc. In similar. fashion a following end member, wall or partition" l 0 is 4slecured at the opposite end edges'of the sleeve members l, 8, other sleeves and wall members being', Icorrespondingly added to build up a continuous. structure of any vdesired length. While in Fig. 2` the 'several sections 5 are shown Yas of the Same length, they may vary substantially as to relative, length and also astotheir number in a` given ever-'al1 length, same o'rall Qf the intermediate crosswalls or partitions l0 being omitted. y Y

In a completed tubular structure of Figs., 1v and Y Y pending on lthe agent employed, as indicated in Fig; 1 at 15b,- Illb, etc. This additionally insures l a tight and-substantially homogeneous union at the ends of the structure, effectively sealing it against-passage of water or other fluid.

t The order and manner of assembly of the several elements may be such as found most convenient for the structure of a given length and diameter. For example, any number of sections composedofthe outer and inner sleeves 1 and l and the end walls or partitions l0 may first be built up to the desired length, the core member 9 and the outer casing 6 being then applied respectively through and over the assembled sections; A layer of application of glue, cement or other agent such as above referred to is applied over the entire circumferential area between the central sleeve 9 and the inner sectional sleeves 8, and also between the outer sleeves l and the inner surface of the outer casing 6. In other instances the procedure may be to build up the tubular sections progressively about the central tubular member 9. and within the outer shell 6, by positioning about and within said members respectively the end wall l0 and sleeve pair 1, t for a rst section, followed by the end wall and sleeves for a succeeding section, and so on, with attendant bonding or gluing of the contacting circumferentialy and other surfaces in the manner previously described. Or the assembly may be by a combinational procedure, any plurality of the sectional chambers being made up andl installed relative to the core and casing elements andi, followed by one or morer other sections.

In Fig.` 3: Ihave illustrated a modified structure,: again having its longitudinal walls composed of tubular elements of wound thin w0od veneer or plywood. LHere the longitudinal passage suc-h as providedin the embodiment of Figs. l and 2. for the receptionof a rope, cable or the like II, is omitted. As in the previous instance, the device of Fig.. 3; may be formed internally as a. single section or. in a number of connected sections, several of which are indicated at I5, I5, etc., in Fig. 3.

Such sections l5 of Fig. 3. comprise tubular wou-nd veneer or plywood elements l1 which may be generally similar to the sleeve elements tof Fig, 1 being represented. in Fig. 3 ascomprising two plies or windings. Their respective. endsl are secured in abutting relation to three-ply cross- Wa-lisl inV a generally similar manner as, for the end. walls In ofFi'gs. land 2..y Surrounding the several aligned. sleeves |11, is. a connecting tubular casing I6 drmly bonded circum-ferentially to the several sleeves il as. bytbe layer of. adlicei-ve,v connective, bonding or impregnating agent, indicated, bythe intei'rnediatel layer tia; which may be of the type of composition available in shectform, laid between thesleevcs; il and the Outer casi-ng cr shelll.4 Itwill; understand me Genval- Whe o? of? gif SPPSQ Within the' 755, that thcpillustratcn in Eig. 3 is somewhat. diam grammatic and not to scale, lwith thicknesses exj aggerated for greater clarity.

Similarly as in Fig. 1 the casing` I6 is of a length to extend out into overlapping relation with the circumferential edge ofv the terminal crossY wall 2D, the abutting surfaces of these, parts being bonded, and sealed, in some such manner as previously described. As a further strengthening andsealing means at the ends of the structure, I have shown in Fig. `3 an end plate or cap 2| preferably of plywood, of a diameter and shape to overlap and conform tothe end edge of the casing I 6. yThis terminal cap is secured and bonded to the end of the casing I6 and against the outer face of the adjacent cross wall 20, over the entire fiat innery face of thecap. The latter affords additional insurance against passage of fluid at the ends of the structure.y If desired similar caps, with central apertures aligne ing with that of the central core 9, may be employed in connection with the device of Figs. 1 and 2, and also Figs. 6 and 7.

Cylindrical or other tubular structures such as in Fig. 3 arerparticularly adapted, among otheruses, to serve as vthe supporting or skeleton elements of floats and` rafts of the type in which ropes are secured at oneA of ,their ends around such support or frame, with their other ends left free to trail in the water. It will be understood that the support structure oflFig. 3, as` well as of the other gures, may be made of any desired length, such as 10, 12, 15'feet` or more. A number of such A supports or liioats, of'A any convenient length, may be disposed in general parallelism or otherwise and inter-connected by ropes, canvas,`

netting orthe like. Or a number of these floating supports may be cross-connected at their ends by similar tubular or other means so as to form rectangular or., other frames or enclosures.

In Fig. 4 I have illustrated more or less diagrammatically one means of angularly connect.

ing two lengths of the tubular structure such as that of Fig. 3 but applicable also to the form of Fig. 1 or the others. As there shown on'a much smaller' scale, two lengths of the main tubu-v lar device to be Vconnected have theirfcasings l5 extended at the ends and left open beyond a last cross wall 20, so as to provide Va project?` ing flange 22. These flanges are adapted to receive one end of an arcuate connectorfor block 23. This may comprise a solid .or hollow'sfe'ction of wood or other material o`fadec`1uate strength but relatively lightin weight. If desired it may be of tubular construction formedof wound veneer or plywood such for `example as considerable length an inner sleeve IIa may bev provided at the inner end of the flange 22, be-k tween the first cross wall and the inner end of the connector 23, the latter abutting and seat-V ing against the end edge of such sleeve lla.

Referring now to Figs. 6 and 7 I have there represented further embodiments of the inven. Y

referencenumerals are applied on these figures as for Figs.- 1 and 2, vand in respects knot other- ,wise particularly mentioned the construction-as shownggin Figs. 6 and?? ;may be regarded as similar tofthat of saidprior figures. While kin Figs. 6 and 7 the devices areillustrated as of the centrauy aperturea `typeV of Figs. 1 and 2.a win ne` f understood thatA a lling, reinforcing and water or other fluid excluding mediumsuch as represented in Figs. 6.l and 7- may also beemployed in connection with the structure of Fig. 3 andk of the others.

In said Figs. 6 and 7 the outerA casing `6, the

central core 9, andthe transverse4 walls I0, including the outer terminal end vwalls and any intermediate cross wall such 4as that indicated,`

in Fig. 6, may be constructed, secured and bonded together similarly as already described in con-v indicated in Figs. 6 and 7 bythe numeralsll.

Where balsa wood is thus employed, discs` orv blocks thereof are formed of a shape andsize toflt snugly within the casing 6,y andappropriately` aperturedto receive and fit snugly around the core kSi, where such latter is employed, in the apertured construction.

In a sectional structuresuch as that of Fig. 6, these'balsa wood elements 3B for the respective sections maybe of one pieceor otherwise. The same also applies in connectionwith the non-sectionalized embodiment of Fig. 7, in which lengths of` theV inner balsa wood element 30 may be abutted endwise, Yas indicated by the broken line at the right-hand portionof Fig. 7. Y These balsa bodiesSil ofV Figs. 6 and 'lr are preferably secured and bonded to the contacting veneer or plywood tubular and transverse wall elements similarly as `for the .inter-connection of the latter. vIt will be seen from Figs. 6fand 7 thatv the inner .sleeve members such as 1 and 8 of Fig. 1 vor-17..,`

of Fig. 3 may be omitted' infthese filled-embodiments, or if preferred they may be employed. In addition to a reinforcing and connective function, the filler or base means as represented' u in Figsf and 7 serves thefurther importantpurpose of excluding water in the event that the containing or covering tubular wall B oran end wall l0 should be punctured or perforated as by machine gun or rifle bullets in the course of hostile attack. Exposed or non-covered balsa wood itself is unsatisfactory for use as a supporting float in water, particularly sea water..`

Due to its natural porosity and cellular structure it becomes waterlogged and unservicef able for supporting purposes, invv a comparatively.

short time. But inthe Veneer or'plywood covered balsa constructions such as represented in Figs. 6 and 7, the supporting eiiiciency is greatly extended. In the event that Vone or more bullet holes are formed in the enclosing veneer or" ply'-V wood covering, the balsa wood Vprevents the rapid entrance of water such as might otherwise fillf the corresponding section or the entirety of the float where it is of a single-section form. Unless substantial areas of the veneer covering are torn away, these structures will remain afloat for long periods, only alrelatively small amount of water being admitted or absorbed by the balsa Blocks, bodies4 aresections vof ,p balsa, or of the other Amaterials-rnentioned, `are atively close proximity. Indeed itis found that the action of the balsa wood is such, by rea'- son of its inherent structure, that it tends to swell rapidly around and intov a'bullet perforation, with more or less of a self-sealing action.

In Figs. 8 to 10 I have showna further construction utilizing wound veneerV or plywood Yin tubular form, such for example as referred to in my prior application previously identified.- The tubular structure of Fig. 8 may be regarded asa curve, arcuate or angular form of the device such as illustrated and described in connection with any of the preceding iigures. While for the purposes of the disclosure I have shown in Fig. -8 a tubular device which iscompleted through a full 360, to full circular form, it will be understood that any segmental or arcuate length thereof may be employed, as for example in the formation of angular unions andr connections such as presented by the element 23 of Fig. 4.or as a semi-circular end piece for a raft or iloat, as indicated by the dotted lines. f Y

In Fig. 8 tlie outer tubular element or casing 36 eorrespondsto the` casing or shellV E of Figs. 1, 6 and 7 or 16 of Fig. 3 and Vmay be similarly constructed, as of the -wound veneering or wood stripping, in the general manner also as in my prior application. The inner tubular elements of the several sections or compartments 35 comprise lengths 31 lof vtubular wound veneering, one of which is shown separately in section in Fig. 10.

One manner of rapidly and eiiiciently constructing these tubular elements or sleeves 31, with little or no waste, is illustrated in Fig. 9. In the latter ngure a short length of tubular wound veneer-ing is indicated in Vgeneral by the numeral 40. `This tube 40 iscut transversely, along the angularly related and oppositely inclined lines, as indicated in Fig. 9 by the broken lining at 4l, 4|, etc. By equally distributing the cut lines 4| along the tube 40, a corresponding number of identical tubular sections of the desired length are provided, alternate sections being oppositely positioned transversely, in their initial positions in the tubular stock 40. By arranging any of these sections with their longer wall portions adjoining, they may be disposed in the angular or arced relation as seen in Fig. 8. The angle of inclination of the end cuts 4i, and the length of the sections 31, may be variously selected as appropriate for the particular radius of curvature desired for the'structure as a whole. The truncate or segmental sections 31 'maybe directly abutted, and preferably bonded, end `to end, or may be assembled with intervening cross walls 38 similarly as in Fig. 1, and they maybe hollow or serve as covering for balsa or other filler material, in the manner of Figs. 6 and 7. The curved tubular casing 36 may be formed in arcuate sections of any desired lengthnto which the tubular elements 31 are inserted, or it kmay be formed by Winding the veneering or other strip material labout the assembled sectional ele ments 31.

My invention is not limited to the particular embodiments thereof as herein illustrated and described, its scope being set out in my claims as follows? Y Iclaim: Y 1

1. A tubularvstructure for supporting and other purposes comprising in combination, more pairs of plural-ply wound veneer vsleeves in laterally spaced coaxial ,relation one within `the essere other, centrally apertured plywood cross walls secured at the respective ends of the sleeves and forming a closed annular compartment between the sleeves of each pair, a hollow tubular wound veneer'core positioned in and bonded to the inner sleeve of said pair or pairs and overlapping the cross walls, and a tubular outer casing of pluralply veneer surrounding the sleeve pair or pairs and being coextensive with the core'so as to overlap the peripheral edges ofthe cross walls, said casing bonded to the outer sleeve of the pair or pairs and to the cross walls.

2. A tubular structure according to claim 1 including in combination therewith Wooden cap members of a shape and size conformant to the casing ends andl being bonded to them and against the outerfacesof the terminal cross walls.

3. A tubular structure for supporting and other purposes comprising in combination, a tubular element Vof wound plural-ply veneer, wooden transverse wall members of a shape and size to t against the end portions of the tubular element and being bonded to it, andan outer casing of plural-ply wound veneer of a diameter and cross-Y sectional forrn to nt snugly around the tubular element and of a length to overlap the peripheral edges of said transverse wall'members, said casing bonded to the latter and to the outer surface of the*` tubular element. v

4'. A float device comprising in combination a body of balsa wood of selected size and shape including opposite end faces and a connecting side wall, a casing of plural-ply wound veneer positioned on the balsa body in closely surrounding relation to its side wail, and plywood plates disposed at and bonded to the end edges of said casing and against the end faces of the balsa body.

' 5. A iioat device according to claim 4 wherein the balsa body is centrally apertured from end to end and havingin combination a wound pluralply veneer tube positioned in the aperture, the

plywood end plates having corresponding apertures to receive said tube and being bonded to the latter around said apertures 6. A tubular'structure jaccording to claim 1 wherein each annular compartment between sleeves of the' pair or pairs has i'lttedtherein a mass of balsa Wood. 7. A'tubular structure comprising a plurality of kelongated tubes formed of a plurality of plies offwoundithin wood st1ipping,said tubes disposed in endwise angular relation one to another, and a curvilinear connector element of Aa cross-sectional shape and size conformant to that of said tubes, said connector velement having its ends tted and secured to the adjacent ends of adjacent tubes.

8. A buoyant tubular structure for rafts, nets, oats and the. like, said structure comprising a hollow Atubular casing having its longitudinal wall formed wholly ,of a plural-ity of plies of wood.

veneer concentrically wound in superposed relation. andV unitedrby a water-resistant bonding agent, impermeable plate-like plywood transverse wall *members at the ends cf the casing and bonded thereto in end-sealing relation by similar water-resistant bonding means, and one or more internal. transverse VWall members similarly bonded at the inner Vface ofthe casing and dividing the latter into a plurality of water-tight sealed. compartments.

' PAUL R. GOLDMAN. 

